The End is Near for Chrome Manifest V2 Extensions: uBlock Origin Loses "Featured" Status

Google is accelerating its shift away from Manifest V2 (MV2) extensions, signaling the end of an era for the popular ad-blocker, uBlock Origin, in the Chrome Web Store. Recent changes highlight the platform’s commitment to its new standards, leaving long-time users with critical decisions about their browser tools.

uBlock Origin Loses "Featured" Badge

As of now, uBlock Origin no longer carries the "Featured" badge in the Chrome Web Store. This badge is reserved for extensions that align with Chrome’s best practices and guidelines, which are increasingly aligned with Manifest V3 (MV3). In contrast, uBlock Origin Lite, the MV3-compliant version of the tool, retains its featured status, emphasizing Google’s focus on transitioning developers and users toward MV3-compatible extensions.

What This Means for uBlock Origin Users

This is another step in Chrome’s plan to phase out Manifest V2 extensions entirely. While uBlock Origin still works in Chrome for now, the extension is marked as potentially unsupported in the future. Users are advised to consider migrating to uBlock Origin Lite, which offers a similar experience but complies with MV3 standards.

Alternatives and Options

For users unwilling to transition to MV3 or who prefer the full functionality of uBlock Origin, alternative browsers like Firefox, Brave, Edge, and Vivaldi continue to support the original MV2 extension. These browsers prioritize user choice and maintain compatibility with uBlock Origin’s robust ad-blocking capabilities.